In May 2019, the UK was the first country to declare a climate emergency.
This motion identifies a call to limit global warming and take action at all levels.
The fashion industry’s role in this area has sparked conversation around sustainability and eco-friendly alternatives to the current system.
Overall there is increased consumer awareness of sustainability and eco-friendly ways to shop.
For example, according to statistics, revenue from sales of ethical clothing rose from £29 million in 2015 to $53 million in 2019.
Moreover, the next decade shows no signs of slowing.
So in this growing area, it’s vital to know what options your fashion brand has when looking for greener solutions.
Here we explore eco-friendly fabrics and delve into sustainable clothing manufacturing.
Types of eco-friendly fibres
There are three types of low impact fibres available for garment production:
- Plant-based fibres – natural textiles created with a low environmental impact, such as linen, hemp and organic cotton.
- Recycled fibres – fabrics made with waste materials
- Semi-synthetic fibres – fabrics designed with natural resources and low impact synthetic additives (such as eco-friendly dyes and chemicals), for example Lycocell and sustainable viscose.
What makes a fabric eco-friendly?
Sustainable and eco-friendly fabrics typically meet criteria to qualify as ‘low impact’ on the environment. Common factors include:
- Made of waste material
- Created using renewable sources
- Biodegradable
- Minimal soil impact
- Low energy production
- Minimal chemicals
Some clothing manufacturers and producers also hold relevant certifications covering broader environmental,
social and economic standards such as Global Organic Textiles Standard (GOTS),
Fairtrade Certified Cotton and Better Cotton Initiative.
What is sustainable clothing manufacturing?
There is a growing selection of sustainable clothing manufacturers in the UK and overseas.
These garment producers encompass a variety of methods and initiatives to meet sustainability standards.
Typically factories work towards three main areas:
Reducing impact on the planet
Clothing manufacturers look at how processes affect the planet.
This includes minimising waste and improving circular production methods.
Impact on people
This aspect looks at how a company looks after its employees and the wider community.
Everything from paying a living wage to ensuring equal opportunities is taking into consideration.
Impact on profit
Balancing the bottom line with sustainable practices is vital for clothing manufacturers to make money and support people and the planet.
These elements look at how it can do both well.
Many sustainable factories incorporate the above areas in their ethos.
One of the best places to find the right clothing factory for your garments is to simply research on Google or head to a trade show and connect with relevant suppliers.
Why sustainable clothing manufacturing is important
Looking at the bigger picture, sustainable manufacturing is important to secure long-term,
planet and people-friendly production methods.
There are many benefits for companies,
including saving costs by using deadstock or waste materials or installing solar panels to power a factory.
Sustainable manufacturing covers everything from minimising carbon footprint to sourcing eco-friendly fabrics.
While the industry is growing and learning,
responsible planning and production will see a wider range of green fashion options at competitive prices.
Sources:
https://theconversation.com/uk-becomes-first-country-to-declare-a-climate-emergency-116428
https://www.statista.com/statistics/283233/ethical-clothing-sales-revenue-in-the-united-kingdom-uk/